"We are very proud of these new additions who will compliment the quality of our Board of Directors. We have great expectations from their service," said Remer Y. Brinson III, president of First Bank of Georgia.

Mr. Culpepper, president of Culpepper Ford in Thomson, said "the job is more involved" than he realized. Mr. Culpepper said the Board of Directors have a big responsibility to keep the records accountable, and that he received "a book of instructions" when he was elected.

"It's a tremendous honor to me. I know so many people who started that bank, and I think so highly of them, that makes it more of an honor to me," Mr. Culpepper said. "I hope I will be able to add some benefit to the board."

Mr. Culpepper is a graduate of Harlem High School and Georgia Southwestern College.